Greg,

The recordings are from the James Madison Carpenter Collection: they are field recordings he made in 1929 of retired British shantymen.

Although the recording quality is abysmal, they are tremendous historical documents, and give a new perspective on how shanties were sung in the second half of the 19th century (most of these men had retired from the sea before Stan Hugill was born!)

Here's what I make of the four versions - much of it is indecipherable (to me, at any rate), so I have put down what it sounds like, without trying to force it to make sense.

Shallow Brown (William Fender, Barry)

O-oh, what is the matter?
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.
Shallow, what is the matter?
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.

This nigger stole my dollar
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.
This nigger stole my dollar
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.

And I took him by the collar
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.
I said "You old damn nigger"
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.

Oh, give me back my dollar
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.
My brand new silver dollar
Shallow, oh Shallow Brown.

Shallow Brown (John Middleton, Leith)

Give me [the cock a-rising]??
Shaller, oh Shaller Brown.
Give me the cock a-rising
Shaller, oh Shaller Brown.
For I love to [run jacker]??
Shaller, oh Shaller Brown.

Shallow Brown (Thomas Carfrae, Sunderland)

O-oh, what's the matter?
Shallow, Shallow Brown.
Shallow, what's the matter?
Shallow, Shallow Brown.

[I blame the Boston curvers on the lane but shallow sea]??
[But it's you can pay the ocean on the road to Tandragee]??
[Oooooh, lee coming to, and dad win the game bag evermore]??
Shallow, Shallow, Shallow Brown never more
Oooooh, Shallow Brown
Shallow, what's the matter?
Shallow Brown

Shallow Brown (Alex Henderson, Dundee)

Shallow in the morning.
Shallow, Shallow Brown.
Oh, Shallow in the morning.
Shallow, Shallow Brown.
Oh, Shallow in the morning.
Shallow, Shallow Brown.
Oh, Shallow in the morning.
Shallow, Shallow Brown.

PM me if you would like to hear them for yourself.